Cary Williams Rejects Ravens Extension Offer

Even though he’s coming off hip surgery, and is scheduled to earn $1.927 million in base salary on a restricted free agent tender, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williamsturned down a three-year contract extension worth $15 million, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports.

A seventh-round pick out of Washburn by the Tennessee Titans in 2008, Williams started one of 23 games for the Titans and Ravens in his first three seasons in the NFL before taking over as a full-time starter in 2011.

In 16 games last season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Williams had 78 tackles and 18 passes defensed, but still is looking for his first career interception. According to the 2012 Football Outsiders Almanac, Williams was targeted 101 times, the second-highest total among NFL cornerbacks.

“My philosophy on doing that was just having confidence in myself,” Williams said of turning down the Ravens’ offer. “I know myself, I know my ability. I know my work ethic. At the end of the day, the offer, I felt like I could always make that. I felt it wasn’t good enough and my agent said it wasn’t good enough. I love playing for the Ravens. I would love to be here, but right now we’re just in the negotiation stage.”

There’s often a fine line between confidence and overconfidence. It’s pretty bold move for Williams after one solid season to turn down millions. He also hasn’t exactly been stellar in the pre-season and looks like a guy still finding his way coming off of hip surgery.

If I’m Williams I sign before the team has a chance to reconsider. Once Jimmy Smith gets healthy (I tend to write that a lot) there’s no guarantee that he’ll still be the starter. He’s also hoping that another great season will increase his value on the open market in 2013. That’s not a safe bet considering he’ll be targeted the most by offenses this year with Lardarius Webb establishing himself as the Ravens shutdown corner.